Local teacher Mark Bousie is back home after finishing his first ever London Marathon.

And he’s still buzzing about the sprint finish he put in.

The Glossopdale Community College head of music, said: “I had no idea how I would feel over those last seven miles or so but I actually managed a sprint down the Mall though, passing a camel and rhino over the last 100 metres.”

The father of two, from Audenshaw, was running his first 26 mile race in memory of friend Carl Richardson, who lost a brave battle with leukaemia 10 years ago.

Mark, 39, said: “Most significantly, due to the kind donations of so many people, I’ve managed to significantly exceed my fundraising target and the amount raised for Bloodwise currently stands at £2,773.87.

“A fitting tribute to my friend, Carl.”

Summing up his run with almost 40,000 others, he said: “The marathon was amazing! I was told it was going to be by friends who had done it before and, like many of us, have watched it on the TV since I was young, but it really did live up to the hype and some more! The crowds have to be seen and heard to be believed, making the atmosphere electric.

“I think this was really what made the whole experience more manageable and indeed, dare I say, pleasurable for me.

“There were a few tough moments, but nothing quite as difficult as I was expecting!

“I was very pleased with my time of 4.14.43 and overall position of 17,915 out of 39,045 finishers.

“I had a vague idea that I might be able to complete the event in a time of something, between four and four and-a-half hours, but, as 19 miles was the maximum that I’d ever previously ran, I wasn’t certain.

“The marathon is one of those events that shows the very best in people – runners and supporters alike. It really was quite emotional at times!”